Re: [OPE] Venezuela is the most democratic country in Latin America

From: Paula <Paula_cerni@msn.com>
Date: Mon Mar 02 2009 - 22:34:00 EST

Jerry: "It does work: evidence of that is that *you can't cite sources which aren't reactionary and/or the bourgeois press in support of your skepticism*. "

Here's a report from a Venezuelan left-wing group who are critical of Chavez [in Spanish]:
http://es.internationalism.org/node/2230

Also please note that since Venezuela's still a capitalist nation, Chavez represents Venezuelan capital, or at least the section of it that's currently in power; and so you too, in quoting him and his supporters, are citing bourgeois sources.

"Given a choice, I would rather stand with the masses in struggle for self-determination and 21st Century socialism than stand with the skeptics."

Is it you who's standing with the masses, or the masses who're standing with you? Because you didn't stand with the masses of Caracas when they elected a right-wing mayor.

As others have noted, the masses are quite capable of choosing undemocratic and reactionary options; so it isn't our job to 'stand with' them but to offer our advice, which will often contradict their choices. Chavez, Obama and the mayor of Caracas won the support of the people, and therefore they govern legitimately; but that doesn't mean we have to agree with them or silence our criticisms.

Paula

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Received on Mon Mar 2 22:37:48 2009

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